Camera with built-in stroboscopic flash

ABSTRACT

A camera having a view finder, an electronic flash assembly and light sensitive exposure indicator arranged in horizontal alignment over the lens. Electrical power is provided for selectively energizing said flash assembly and a mechanical linkage structure for presenting operation of the shutter until a film advance has been actuated while preventing further operation of the shutter until the film advance has been actuated. A Flash operating contact is provided on the mechanical linkage for completing an operative electrical circuit from the electrical power to the flash assembly upon actuation of the mechanical linkage.

United States Patent [1 1 Ackerman et a1.

CAMERA WITH BUILT-IN STROBOSCOPIC FLASH Inventors: Martin S. Ackerman, East Hills;

George Hardy, Huntington, both of NJ.

Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation, Manhasset, NY.

Filed: Apr. 14, 1972 Appl. No.: 240,346

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 788,727, Jan. 3, 1969, abandoned.

US. Cl. 95/1 1.5 R, 95/11 V, 95/31 R, 95/31 AC Int. Cl. G03b 15/05, G03b 17/20 Field of Search 95/1 1.5 R, 11 R, 95/11 L, 31 AC, 31 R, 31 FL, 11 V References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Steisslinger ..95/31R 9/1971 Irwin ..95/31FL Oct. 9, 1973 3,357,328 12/1967 Kinder et a1. 95/11 R 3,374,718 3/1968 I-lochreiter 95/10 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,048,486 11/1966 Great Britain 95/11 L 757,841 5/1967 Canada 95/11 L Primary ExaminerRobert P. Greiner AttorneyMartin A. Levitin [5 7] ABSTRACT A camera having a view finder, an electronic flash assembly and light sensitive exposure indicator arranged in horizontal alignment over the lens. Electrical power is provided for selectively energiiing said flash assembly and a mechanical linkage structure for presenting operation of the shutter until a film advance has been actuated while preventing further operation of the shutter until the film advance has been actuated. A Flash operating contact is provided on the mechanical linkage for completing an operative electrical circuit from the electrical power to the flash assembly upon actuation of the mechanical linkage.

3 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 9% 3.768 :52

SHEET u {If 6 INVENTORS Y 450 //4/aa PATENTEDUET 9% 3368.752

/ IG9I/3 [NVENTORS MART/N s. ACKERMAA/ GEO/2 GE HARDY A TTO/ENE r PATENTEW 3,763,752

SHEET 5 UF 6 INVENTORS M N 5. ACKERMAN GEORGE HARDY A T TORNE f CAMERA WITH BUILT-IN STROBOSCOPIC FLASH This invention relates to a camera having a built-in electronic flash with means for providing positive double exposure prevention as well as assuring against advance of the film without actuating the shutter. In particular, this application relates to my prior co-pending application U. S. Ser. No. 788,727 filed Jan. 3, 1969, now abandoned.

In US. Pat. No. 3,364,829 to Martin S. Ackerman, issued for Rechargeable Strob'oscopic Flash Attachment" there is disclosed a stroboscopic flash attachment which is adapted to be mounted on a conventional existing camera. However, when in connection with cameras to be manufactured hereafter it is highly desirable to incorporate the flash mechanism within the camera itself to provide not only for a more compact and attractive package, but also to provide for numerous advantages in function and construction.

The concept of this invention features the use of a simple switching arrangement for simultaneously initiating the activation of both the stroboscopic flash and the shutter mechanism of the camera.

In the past it has been difficult to properly build in a flash and then synchronize the flash with the shutter mechanism while preventing double exposure and nonexposure. The present invention overcomes the difficulties by use of a novel mechanical linkage which has mounted thereon the contacts for electrically operating the flash which has a separate excitation circuit. Further, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior cameras in that a novel horizonal alignment of a flash, a light sensitive exposure indicating device and a view finder are utilized and disposed above the lens assembly, thereby reducing cost of the camera and making it compact and easily portable.

The present" invention features an automatic exposure control for most light conditions. Should there be too little light for good pictures, a permanent built in stroboscopic flash is provided. The user is automatically warned by a warning light which will glow in the view finder when there is too little light. The flash will recycle in only a few seconds so as to be ready for another picture quickly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an instant loading camera using cartridge film which has a built in flash.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a positive double exposure prevention system. This invention features a mechanism which prevents the shutter from being opened after a picture has been taken until the film has been advanced. Further, the same mechanism prevents the film from being advanced until the picture has been taken. Accordingly, the mechanism eliminates the necessity of the user knowing whether the film has been advanced or not, because the mechanism remembers the condition for the user.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a camera constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the camera;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 in FIG. 1, showing the camera with its rear door open;

FIG. 7 is a partial rear elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 7-7 in FIG. 3, and showing the interior construction of the camera;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the camera, with parts being broken away to show other parts;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the camera, with the bottom plate removed;

FIG. 10 is a partial front elevational view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the plane of line ll1ll in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of portions of the operating mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the lens construction used in the camera;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing certain parts of the electrical circuits of the built-in stroboscopic photoflash;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of portions of the casing of the camera;

FIG. 16 is a partial top view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism in the non-operating position;

FIG. 17 is a partial front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a partial bottom view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism in the position where the film has just been advanced;

FIG. 20 is a partial top view of the structure shown in the position of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a partial front elevation of the shutter and flash mechanism at the moment when film exposure and flash have been completed.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and with initial consideration of FIGS. 11 through 5, reference numeral 20 generally designates a camera constructed in accordance with the present invention. The camera 20 includes a casing 21 having various access openings removably closed by a back door 22, top plate means 23, bottom plate 24, and a battery door 25. The battery door is formed in two parts, as can be best seen in FIG. 15, including a main portion 25A and a decorative insert 258.

A lens mounting assembly generally indicated at 26 is provided which includes a lens mounting plate 27 and a lens assembly 28 which includes an automatic exposure device 29. The fasteners at 30 are provided for holding the lens mounting assembly in place are hidden by ring 31. The lens is adapted to focus on an unexposed frame of film which is mounted within the casing 21 and to which access is bad by the back door 22. The actual film winding mechanism is of conventional construction and not forming a particular part of this invention.

A flash assembly 32 is provided which includes a main capacitor 33, an indicator lamp 34, and the stroboscopic flash 35 mounted in the casing 21 above the lens assembly 26 and which is, as will be hereinafter described, excited and used to illuminate the object being photographed. The stroboscopic flash 35 is in alignment with a window 36 in the face of the camera casing 21 which is provided with another window 37 for providing automatic control of the lens opening through the light sensitive device 29 of the exposure meter. View finding means 40 are also provided. A shutter operating lever 129 is provided in front of the casing 21. A latch mechanism 42, 42A for controlling the opening and closing of the rear door 22 is provided. An offon switch 43 is provided for controlling the flash circuit. A window 44 is provided in the rear of the camera for the indicator lamp 34.

The rear door 22 is hinged at 45, and resilient fingers 47 for positioning the film cartridge are provided therein. A window 48 for showing the frame for exposure on film is provided. Cartridge type film (not shown) is used in the camera and held in place by fingers 47.

With reference now to FIG. 18, film advance lever 51, pivoted at 52, has teeth 53, pawl 54, cam and spring post 56. Spring 57 is held between spring post 56 and post 58 and biases lever 51 counter-clockwise.

Pivoted at 52, but free of film advance lever 51 is a unit comprising ratchet 59 fixed to gear 60 which in turn, through gears 61 and 62 turn shaft 63. Fixed to shaft 63 is a ratchet 64 and a film spool engagement device (not shown). Teeth 53 are shown in their entirety while the teeth of ratchets 59 and 64 extend completely around the ratchets.

Arm 65 pivoted at 66 has ratchet engagement with pawl 67 and at its extremity is biased by spring 68, bears against an arm 69.

Plate 70, pivoted at 71, has a cam following surface 72 and at extension 73 bears against arm 74.

Compound crank 75, pivoted at 76 (besides arms 69 and 74) has hooked arm 77 and spring support 78. Spring 79, held between support 78 and post 66, biases crank counter-clockwise.

Plate 80, fixed to pivoting rod 81, has pin 82 and spring support 83.

Spring 84, held between spring support 83 and post 58 biases plate counter-clockwise.

Arm 85, pivoted at 86, is biased clockwise against pin 82 by spring 87. At the opposite end, arm 85 terminates in ratchet engagement tooth 88.

Rod 81 at its farther extremity terminates in arm 89 (FIG. 16). At the far end of the arm a bracket 90 has camming surface 91 which is high at 91A and low at 91B. Arm 92, pivoted at 93, is biased counterclockwise by spring 94 until stopped by pin 95 fixed in arm 89. Arm 92 terminates in bent-up portion 92A.

Referring to FIG. 17, assembly is fixed to the camera proper by screws 101 passing through the immovable mounting plate 102. On plate 102, posts 103 are threaded to receive the lens assembly 26.

Attached to plate 102 is a fixed-speed type curtain shutter 104 pivoted at 105 and biased clockwise by spring 106 until stopped by lower screw 101. Book 107 on shutter 104 engages a part to be described. Also attached to plate 102 is arm 108, pivoted at 109, biased counter-clockwise by spring 110 until stopped by pin 111 bearing against a member to be described. At the other end of the arm 108, face 112 abuts on a bracket to be described.

Fixed to plate 102 is phosphor-bronze electrical contact 113 mounted under screw 114 but insulated therefrom. Contact 1l3 extends into springy arm 115 and is continued to the hot side of the flash energizer electrically via a wire 116.

Further affixed rearward to plate 102 is pin 117 which trunnions two members.

The nearer member 118 terminates in a plate which is bent at 119 to support spring 120, and is also bent at 121 to receive spring 122. Pin 123 fixed to member 118 pivots arm 124 which has bend 125 shown in contact with hook 107. Bend 125 also receives spring 122, thus biasing arm 124 clockwise until stopped by bend 121. Extending from 118 is bracket 126 terminating in bevel 127 which is in contact with face 112 of arm 108.

The further disposed plate member 128 is partially concealed by member 118 and continues substantially around the shutter opening and terminates in a manual operating arm 129, and a bracket 130 which is in contact with bent-up part 92A of arm 92.

Extending from 128 behind 126 is bracket 131 bent down to support spring 120. Also extending from 128 is bracket 132 bend upward (in FIG. 17) to engage member 118 which limits the biasing of member 118 counter-clockwise and member 128 clockwise due to spring 120.

Lever 51 through 54, 59 through 63 advances the film. When the film is fully advanced, cam 55 rotates plate 73 clockwise which in turn rotates compound crank 75 clockwise moving arm 65 counter-clockwise and disengaging pawl 67. This frees lever 51 to return to the position of FIG. 18 under the influence of spring 57. Therefore, the film can be advanced in complete space units only. Rotation of compound crank 75 brings the end of book 77 past the dead center of pin 82 which under the influence of spring 84 takes the position of FIG. 19. Arm 85, following pin 82, is rotated into engagement of pawl 88 with a tooth in ratchet 64 thus preventing further advance of the film by lever 51 before tripping the mechanism.

Rod 81 has turned arm 89 to the position of FIG. 20 bringing bent up portion 92A out of engagement with bracket 130 on arm 128. This completes the readiness of the mechanism for exposure and flash.

Manual depression of the shutter release arm 129 having a button causes arm 128 to push pin 111, rotating arm 108 clockwise while tensing spring 120.

Spring 120, in turn, biases member 118 counterclockwise which is restrained by spring 106 acting through 104, 107, 125 and 123 (fixed in 118). Bracket 127 and face 112 mutually slide until 127 is free of arm 108 at which point the energy stored in spring 120 initiates an initial force of 37 kick" to member 118, overcoming spring 106 and throwing shutter 104 to the position shown dotted in FIG. 21.

Adjustment of spring contact arm 1 15 is such that pin 123 contacts it when the shutter is open. The circuit to the flash unit is completed through the ground side of mechanism 100 and wire 116.

During the downward movement of member 128, bracket 130 cams along surface 91 from 91A to 918 turning 89, 81, clockwise. Pin 82 is returned to the position of FIG. 18 against the biasing of spring 84. Arm 85 forces pawl 88 out of engagement with ratchet 64, readying lever 51 for the next film advance. Spring 84 turns hook back under pin 82, and also returns plate 70 to position of FIG. 18. Arm 85 is turned by pin 82 so that pawl 88 is disengaged.

.During the downward movement of member 128, bracket 130 slides along the lower edge of 92A as seen in FIG. '16 causing 92 to rotate clockwise, against biasing of spring 94, with respect to bar 89. When member 128 is returnedtoposition of FIG. 16, bent portion 92A snaps under bracket 130, thus preventing another downward movement of member 128. When member 128 returns, bent portion 125 cams post 107 against the biasing of spring 122 and snaps into the position of FIG. 17. Similarly bent portion 127 cams past face 112 to the return position.

The mechanism functions to cock the shutter and flash the camera synchronously with the lens operation. As lever is turned pawl 67 ratchets along teeth 53 preventing return of lever 51 during the partial advance thereof. If not prevented a full'advance after a partial advance would expose partial frames to flash operation and exposure.

The full advance of the mechanism including member 55 through 75'function to remove pawl 67 from teeth 53 with the lever returning under the influence of spring 57. This prevents any attempt to operate the flash mechanism where the lever 51 is out and tells the operator that the frame is not fully advanced if the lever is left partially open.

Compound crank 75, having turned plate 80 under influence of spring 84, will turn arm 85 counterclockwise under influence of spring 87, and tooth 88 engages ratchet 64 preventing further advance of the film. This ensures that a frame cannot be skipped without flashing and exposure.

Plate 80 having turned, the pivoting rod 81 turns arm 89. The bent up portion 92A moves out from under bracket permitting the flash to take place. The spring 84 maintains the elements in readiness for flash operation. During flash movement, the bracket 130 through camming surface 91 cams arm 89 back to its original position with plate 80 returning allowing compound crank 75 to return under the influence of spring 79. As tooth 88 is freed pawl 67'is reengaged. An important consideration is that oncethe arm 92 is back in position, a flash cannot occur without advance of the film thus preventing repeated flash and exposure of one frame. Further, on return of arm 129 under the influence of spring 120, arm 92 snaps back under bracket 130 before contact between contact arm 115 and pin 123 is broken preventing repetition of flash exposure by a short up and down movement of arm 129.

In use, the operator follows a simple procedure. Switch 43 turns on the built in flash 32. The flash is thus activated and the indicator 34 will go on after a few seconds indicating the flash 32 is ready for operation. The switch 43 is generally left in an off" position so as not to drain power from the batteries 33.

The camera shutter 104 is cocked by operating the film advance lever 51 by pulling the lever all the way back. The lever 51 returns to its normal position automatically.

Then the operator looks through the view finder 40. If the shutter release arm and button 129 is partially depressed, but notfar enough to take a picture, a red warning light will be seen in the view finder because of operation of the exposure assembly 29. Hence, before the operator takes a picture the button 129 is partially depressed and the operator looks for the warning light to be sure of having properly exposed pictures.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the invention will be em- 6-. ployed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

1 claim: 7

l. A camera comprising, in combination:

a casing having means for supporting photographic film therein; v a

a lens mounted in the casing and positioned to .focus an image on said film disposed therein;

a manually operated film advance mechanism mounted in said casing and adapted for advancement of the film from frame to frame, said film advance mechanism having a ratchet wheel to prevent film unwinding;

a shutter mechanism disposed in the casing between the lens and the film supporting means for selective exposure of each frame, said shutter mechanism comprising a fixed plate having an aperture therein positioned on the optical axis of said lens, a shutter blade pivotally mounted on the fixed plate and normally biased into a position to close the aperture, an operating arm movably mounted on the fixed plate and having a portion 7 extending to the exterior of the casing to permit manual depression thereof, and an actuating linkage connecting said arm and said shutter blade to instantaneously pivot the blade to open the aperture and expose the film upon depression of the operating arm;

a mechanical safeguard assembly linking said shutter operating arm and said film advance mechanism adapted to prevent multiple exposures of a single film frame and to prevent film advancement prior to exposure of each film frame, said assembly com prising a pivotally mounted lever arm in operative engagement with said shutter operating arm and movable between a first lever arm position permitting depression of said shutter operating arm and a second lever position preventing depression of said shutter operating arm, said lever arm being moved to said first lever arm position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second lever arm position upon depression of said shutter operating arm, and a tooth movable between a first tooth position into engagement with said ratchet wheel to prevent actuation of the film advance mechanism and a second tooth position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as the first lever arm is caused to move through engagement with cooperative linkage in the film advance mechanism, and associated cam means connected via intermediary linkage acts upon the tooth in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the tooth and simultaneously the first lever arm is freed to permit actuation of the film advance mechanism, said tooth being moved to said first tooth position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second tooth position upon depression of said shutter operating arm; and

electronic stroboscopic flash means disposed in said casing in a position to illuminate the image to be photographed, said means comprising a reusable flash bulb, an electrical power source, and an actuating circuit including electrical contact means connecting said bulb and said power source, said contact means being in operative engagement with said shutter mechanism and adapted to be actuated when insufficient ambient light is available for proper film exposure so that the electronic stroboscopic flash means might be put into operation.

3. A camera according to claim 1, in which said electrical power source comprises one or more DC batteries; and said circuit means includes a capacitor charged by said batteries and discharged to energize the bulb upon actuation of the contact means.

ag UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 7'63 752 Dated October 9, 1973 Inventm-(s) Martin S. Ackerman and George Hardy It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cover page "[73] Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation Manhasset, N.Y." should read "[73] Assignee: GAF Corporation a corporation of Delaware.

Signed and sealed this L .th day of June 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attestingg Officer Commissioner of Patents my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 763 752 Dated October 9, 1973 f g) Martin S. Ackerman and George Hardy I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cover page "[73] Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation Manhasset, N.Y." should read [73] Assignee: GAF Corporation a corporation of Delaware.

Signed and sealed this l th day of June 19714.. I I

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attestinp; Officer C MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents 

1. A camera comprising, in combination: a casing having means for supporting photographic film therein; a lens mounted in the casing and positioned to focus an image on said film disposed therein; a manually operated film advance mechanism mounted in said casing and adapted for advancement of the film from frame to frame, said film advance mechanism having a ratchet wheel to prevent film unwinding; a shutter mechanism disposed in the casing between the lens and the film supporting means for selective exposure of each frame, said shutter mechanism comprising a fixed plate having an aperture therein positioned on the optical axis of said lens, a shutter blade pivotally mounted on the fixed plate and normally biased into a position to close the aperture, an operating arm movably mounted on the fixed plate and having a portion extending to the exterior of the casing to permit manual depression thereof, and an actuating linkage connecting said arm and said shutter blade to instantaneously pivot the blade to open the aperture and expose the film upon depression of the operating arm; a mechanical safeguard assembly linking said shutter operating arm and said film advance mechanism adapted to prevent multiple exposures of a single film frame and to prevent film advancement prior to exposure of each film frame, said assembly comprising a pivotally mounted lever arm in operative engagement with said shutter operating arm and movable between a first lever arm position permitting depression of said shutter operating arm and a second lever position preventing depression of said shutter operating arm, said lever arm being moved to said first lever arm position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second lever arm positIon upon depression of said shutter operating arm, and a tooth movable between a first tooth position into engagement with said ratchet wheel to prevent actuation of the film advance mechanism and a second tooth position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as the first lever arm is caused to move through engagement with cooperative linkage in the film advance mechanism, and associated cam means connected via intermediary linkage acts upon the tooth in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the tooth and simultaneously the first lever arm is freed to permit actuation of the film advance mechanism, said tooth being moved to said first tooth position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second tooth position upon depression of said shutter operating arm; and electronic stroboscopic flash means disposed in said casing in a position to illuminate the image to be photographed, said means comprising a reusable flash bulb, an electrical power source, and an actuating circuit including electrical contact means connecting said bulb and said power source, said contact means being in operative engagement with said shutter mechanism and adapted to be actuated simultaneously with the opening of said shutter blade to energize the bulb.
 2. A camera according to claim 1, further comprising a view finder disposed in said casing; light-sensitive means disposed in said casing and responsive to the intensity of light incident thereupon to produce an electrical signal; a warning light visible in said view finder; and circuit means connecting said light-sensitive means and said warning light to energize the warning light when insufficient ambient light is available for proper film exposure so that the electronic stroboscopic flash means might be put into operation.
 3. A camera according to claim 1, in which said electrical power source comprises one or more DC batteries; and said circuit means includes a capacitor charged by said batteries and discharged to energize the bulb upon actuation of the contact means. 